Commuting - Information on Frame Pumps

I've been thinking of installing a frame pump on my commuter. Since I know absolutely nothing about them I figured I'd ask you folks for some advice. My bike has the little knob on the inside of the head tube so I assume that is there for mounting a pump under the top tube. BTW, I already have a CO2 inflator but I want the extra pump just in case. Anyone have opinions on the best brand of pump?

Thanks,
Bob

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Zefal frame pumps. I have an old hp and it still works. Plus it's handy to fight off dogs and ragin' cagers...

Frame pumps come in different sizes, best to bring your bike to the shop to assure you get one that fits. If you end up with a used one that's to small for your larger frame, you can buy a part that clamps around your top tube to hold the other end. Its also helpful to use a velcro strap for additional security holding the pump on the bike wherever you place it(I lost a brand new Zefal pump on a ride once many years ago!). Don

Do a forum search. Topeak Morphs are the best...

Do a forum search. Topeak Morphs are the best...

Nice looking pump! Do you use it?

I do. It's a swell piece of equipment. Over a year and a half of trouble-free service. It's pretty much my favorite portable pump ever.

I have always used Zefal frame pumps and been happy with their performance. You do need to know distance from head tube to seat tube to get a secure fit, but most come with a clamp on strap that you can use if the pump is shorter than your top tube. On the downside, they can be a bit noisy and rattle when mounted under the top tube.

I have always used Zefal frame pumps and been happy with their performance. You do need to know distance from head tube to seat tube to get a secure fit, but most come with a clamp on strap that you can use if the pump is shorter than your top tube. On the downside, they can be a bit noisy and rattle when mounted under the top tube.

I looked on the Zefal site and for some reason they show sizing for the seat tube.

http://www.zefal.com/AAA/BASES/NOTICE/document/noticePompeAutofixTailles.an.gif

Nice looking pump! Do you use it?

Yep. Just yesterday, my rear tire had two explosion flats. The pump has'nt failed me yet.

p.s. I use a Topeak Road Morph.

edit: It even has a pressure gauge built in too.

Yep. Just yesterday, my rear tire had two explosion flats. The pump has'nt failed me yet.

p.s. I use a Topeak Road Morph.

edit: It even has a pressure gauge built in too.

Looks like a winner to me. How and where does it attach to the bike?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/topeak%20road%20morph.jpg

It clamps on to the top, bottom or seat tube. Where ever there is space...

Here's a pic:

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/282/5223/400/DSCN1136-a.jpg

I looked on the Zefal site and for some reason they show sizing for the seat tube.

http://www.zefal.com/AAA/BASES/NOTICE/document/noticePompeAutofixTailles.an.gif
Possibly because many frames today no longer have a pump peg on the head tube? have not bought a new frame pump in years, just move the ones I have from bike to bike. I run an HPX for my roadie and it fits either as shown or under top tube. Just look at the four sizes and see if one is slightly longer than the distance from your head tube to seat tube under the top tube. The pumps are spring loaded and compress a bit to fit inot frame and then the spring tension holds them in place. The handle end has an indentation for the pump peg and the inflator head end has two braces shaped to fit tight against the seat tube and top tube on my hpx. I reccomended the zefal pumps because you stated that your bike has a pump peg, and I know that my hpx works in that situation. For best results, ride to the LBS and try some out on your frame in both positions. Nice part about this system is that there are no mounts to break, etc.

I have been using Zefal frame pumps (hpx) with good results. Either mounted along the top tube or use the end of the rear QR as the bottom peg and wedge the top against the top lug where the seat tube, seat stays and top tube intersect. I find that they do rattle and it helps to use a velcro strap around them to stop the rattling. I have never heard anyone complain about the road morph and would like to try on but the zefal never seem to fail. I guess I need to buy another bike.

It clamps on to the top, bottom or seat tube. Where ever there is space...

There's also a bottle-cage mount available, but it's not included with the pump... you have to contact Topeak and ask for it if you want one. Personally, I prefer it to the stock mount.

There's also a bottle-cage mount available, but it's not included with the pump... you have to contact Topeak and ask for it if you want one. Personally, I prefer it to the stock mount.

I've never had any success whatsoever with Topeak customer support, not a reply. From my prespective their support blows wad.

I went with the Zefal just so I didn't have to wire tie the pump bracket on. Thanks for all the help!

I went with the Zefal just so I didn't have to wire tie the pump bracket on. Thanks for all the help!
which one and where did you mount it? pics? and if was any help, you're welcome.

which one and where did you mount it? pics? and if was any help, you're welcome.

It's a Zefal HPX size 4. I was at the LBS looking at both the Zefal and the Topeak. The guy there said that both pumps were great so it came down to ease of mounting and thought that it would look nicer without a tie strap. I'm still craving the Topeak pump though. I suppose I'll find out how well I like this pump the next time I have a flat.

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Suggestion... with the pump in that position, there is a good chance that a good bump on the road will knock it loose... get a small bungie or velcro strap around the pump and frame to hold the thing in place and prevent loss. The pumps don't seem to jump loose as often when mounted vertically.

Don't ask me how I know.

It seems secure. Any of you Zefal guys have trouble with the pump staying in place? I would have to remove one of my bottle holders to mount it vertically and I don't want to do that. If I have to secure it with velcro then I probably should have just gotten the Topeak.

I have a the old Zefal hp underneath my top tube. It came with its own pump "peg", so it's mounted from the front triangle back to where I mounted the "peg", which is just before the seat tube. The pump pinches in nice and secure. I've never needed a strap, and the pump never comes loose even during the roughest road rides.

My previous Zefal HPX lasted about 10 years before suicidially jumping in front of a dump truck. They're a long-life product. I got another one. :) Great for hitting high pressure, too.

As stated earlier, I have had mine for years, so no, the pump coming loose has never been a problem for me. Also use a mount zefal on my MTN bike mounted under top tube and no problem there either.

I use Zefal 4 in the top tube position and the 3 in the "English style". The latter uses the rear quick release as the pump peg and the top lug of the seat tube where the seat stays intersect as the location for the pump head. Only once have I had a pump come loose, but that was on a pretty extreme off-road section in nasty conditions. Somewhere along the line, on a long tour, I noticed that the pump handle rattles lightly against the pump body. This bugs me, so I now wrap a velcro band designed for holding pant-legs out of the chain around the pump and bike frame. Works, but makes impromtu games of "poodle polo" difficult.

I highly recommend a velcro strap to keep it on the frame. FIWI, I retired my frame pump because of a number of annoying things:

- rattled too much on the lousy pavement around here
- the little plug that keeps the the pump hole closed would never stay in place, rubbing my leg
- even with the velcro it would fall off sometimes (it would stay on, but flop around, dangerous on a big descent)

I have the Topeak Road Morph, and I just used it to pump up both tires to about 95 PSI very easily. I used it instead of my floor pump because conversion to Presta was easier than it is with my floor pump. I do like the fact that it has a built in pressure gauge too... some Morphs don't.

Frankly, my pump is to be used, not for looks. I have a Zefal on one bike I bought, but I haven't used it yet... It definitely looks better on the bike than the Topeak, but frankly I don't know how well it works yet...

I guess Topeak used to give a spare mount to switch between bikes if you asked, now they point you to their web site where you can buy one...

My Road Morph is the best money I have ever spent on a pump.

I haven't made to to a LBS to get new bottles so when I took the roadie out I put the frame pump on. Kinda handy that way.

If you already have a CO2 pump, what do you need another pump for?

I have a Serfas mini-pump. I attach it to the frame with two padded velcro straps made by Jandd. It's strapped under the top tube.

Edit: That's on my road bike I use for group rides. On my commuter, I use nothing. It's a short ride. If I get a flat, I'm walking.

Yep I have a CO2 pump. I used up two bottles on my last flat and haven't made to to a bike shop to get new ones. I like having a frame pump even though I prefer to use the CO2 inflator.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this asset of the Road Morph: its hose, which decreases the risk of dislodging the valve stem. I like my Zefal, but I must admit that the Road Morph is extraordinarily efficient.

I was that close to buying a road morph. They look like excellent pumps.

I've been thinking of installing a frame pump on my commuter. Since I know absolutely nothing about them I figured I'd ask you folks for some advice. My bike has the little knob on the inside of the head tube so I assume that is there for mounting a pump under the top tube.Both my commuter bike and road bike have a pump peg on the back of the head tube. I've had a Blackburn frame pump on my road bike for a few years. My commuter had a Performance mini-pump until about three weeks ago. Now I have a Zephal hp X4. Had to use it two days after I bought it. Works great. :beer:

Zefal frame pumps. I have an old hp and it still works. Plus it's handy to fight off dogs and ragin' cagers...

I carry my Zefal hpX in my backpack. It's more threatening that way.

It's hard to get through security checkpoints though. Guards have never seen anything like it and even after I disassemble it completely they insist that I not take it beyond the checkpoint.

And it's a darned good back scratcher.